Macaulay's Minute on Education

British Education Policy in India

• The British government decided to promote English literature and science among Indians through the English medium, abandoning the publication of Oriental literature.
• The money spent on Oriental literature was redirected to spread English literature and science.

Lord Macaulay's Resolution

• Lord Macaulay's minute of 1835 led to the resolution of March 7, 1835, which determined the aim, content, and medium of instruction in India.
• The resolution promoted Western sciences and arts, and acknowledged the importance of English education.

William Bentinck's Orders

• Bentinck ordered that all funds for education would be used to promote English education alone.
• He believed that Indians preferred studying English over Arabic, Sanskrit, or Persian.

Macaulay's Proposal for Preparing Code in English

• Macaulay proposed to translate law books from Sanskrit, Arabic, and Persian into English and prepare a code of law.
• He was strictly secular and did not want to interfere with Indian religions.

Utilization of Grants

• Macaulay declared that the main aim of the British government was to spread European literature, and all granted money would be spent for that purpose.
• The term "Indian scholar" referred to a scholar learned in English literature and Western philosophy.

Medium of Instruction

• Macaulay advocated for English to be made the medium of instruction in India, criticizing the nature of Indian literature and languages.
• He believed that a single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia.

Support to English

• Macaulay argued that English was the most useful language for India, as it was the language of the rulers, highly placed Indians, and trade and commerce in the Eastern Waters.
• He believed that English education would spread liberal ideas amongst natives, who would cooperate with the government to wipe out moral and social evils.

Adam's Report

• William Adam was appointed in 1835 to survey indigenous education in some districts of Bengal and Bihar.
• He submitted three valuable reports, classifying educational agencies into seven categories, including indigenous elementary schools, English schools, and colleges.

Extent of Education

• Adam found that no village in Bengal was without primary schools, with around one lakh schools scattered across the region.
• Teachers were paid a salary of Rs. 5/- per month, and students started education at the age of eight and read up to the age of 14 years.

Courses of Studies

• Hindus generally read Bengali and Sanskrit, while Muslims read Arabic and Persian.

Education of Women

• Adam stated that the very name of women education made people afraid of.

Suggestions for Reform

• Adam suggested the publication of graded series of new textbooks, the appointment of an examiner for each district, and the appointment of inspectors for supervising the work of examiners.

Learn about the influential speech by Thomas Babington Macaulay that shaped the education system in India, emphasizing the importance of English literature and language. Explore the arguments he presented in favor of English education and how it differed from traditional Oriental studies.